The participation ride 2006 - post-ride analysis and comment

Where are your panniers?

This often-asked question highlighted one of the advantages of choosing a Moulton for this journey. I was travelling light and all my luggage was stowed 'in-line'. In bags and in the frame itself. This is shown in this 'walk around' the bike. This video was taken more than 800 miles into the ride.

A few additional points not made in this video are: 1) the pedals were reversible - flat on one side and with clips on the other. I was clipped in 99% of the time; 2) I was carrying a foldable tyre in the back bag which was fitted just north of Glasgow; 3) I had spare spokes taped to the rear triangle - look out for these in the video; 4) The zip ties stayed on the frame and formed loops and clothing was tucked underneath them - long velcro traps would have been better; 5) I had a pump clipped to the bottle holder on the underside of the frame; 6) If it had rained I had re-sealable polythene bags to wrap things up in.

[The video may take a few moments to load and appear below - if it doesn't appear you might also want to try and view the video directly on the YouTube site. To do this click here.]

Bike nears final configuration

I have decided to take the Pashley Moulton TSR30 and here are a few pictures of the bike nearly ready to go. Click on the images to enlarge them.

A couple of things to do:

- a second bottle clip to be fitted with pump clip on the bar in front of the chainwheel

- a big reflector will be fitted to the bag rack at the back

Any advice/tips on this set-up would be gratefully receive (please leave a comment).

Cyclist admits affair

I have to confess that the recent visits to see Dan at Pashley Cycles  of Stratford-upon-Avon had developed into something else. On my first trip I was introduced to the Pashley Moulton TSR30. On the second trip we were allowed out together . . . alone with no shaperone.

Well, I was seduced . . . the 30 gears . . . the stronger wheels . . . the wide handlebars. With some running around and help from the staff at Pashleys, a nearly-new light blue one was located and I picked it up on Sunday. Today was my first trip out on it. See my training log to see how the ride went.

So now, which bike do I take? The old faithful Moulton NS or the new TSR30?

Thanks & Moulton Myths

First of all, thanks to everyone who has emailed me directly with offers of help and comments. I'd be really happy if people would also send stuff here (by clicking on the 'Comments' links at the bottom of each post) so that we could get a bit of knowledge sharing going . . .

I'd like to respond to some of the comments I have received by email:
. . . you are obviously barking to do it on a Moulton! :-) No I'm not :-). The Moulton is a very high performance bike with rock solid tyres and full suspension. Its 'space frame' construction means it is very stiff and it goes like a rocket (see my training log). It holds various speed records and has been used by Audax riders for London-Edinburgh-London, Paris-Brest-Paris etc. I rode mine from Cardiff to London in a day (~170 miles) >more.
At least you shouldnt have issues getting back home on the train, with a folder. The Moulton is not a folder. There is not a folder in the Moulton range. My Moulton separates but this does not compromise the stiffness of the frame or the conventional riding position. And although this is handy sometimes (eg to get the bike in a car boot) it is not a 30 second job to separate the bike and you wouldn't use it for a daily commute.
I have owned a Brompton and I would certainly would not have attempted the trip on that.
Does having small wheels mean you have to pedal faster? No. The gears are organised so that your feet go around at the same speed as a bike with larger wheels  but the wheels go around a lot faster.

Value of handle bar Real Estate soars

One thing I was reminded of during the rides yesterday is the importance on having as much space as possible to rest your hands on the handle bars. Mine go numb if I don't keep changing my grip.

I am already constrained by the design of the Moutlton 'bull horn' handle bars (which I like) and by the fact that the front of the bike is starting to look like 'gadget heaven'. I think I have resolved things by fitting an Acor 'Tee Bar'.

For those unfamiliar with this sort of Moulton, the funny things coming out of the end of the handlebars are the brakes and the good 'old fashioned' Dura-Ace gear changer is to the right. I have fitted my trusty Sigma Sport BC800 bike computer in the middle (cheap and cheerful) and the Magellan GPS (not cheap but brilliant especially with the street by street maps loaded) is out in front on the 'Tee Bar' with the bell. I am really pleased with the GPS, not only does it track and record the route and the hills but it now guides me turn by turn along the route.

Bike refurb - part 1

Today started with a very good ride into work on my folding bike (Blue Birdy) and ended with me picking up my Moulton from Dan at Pashley's in Stratford with part one of the refurbishment complete. As it happens the bike was in pretty good shape. A few parts need to be ordered (new back sprocket, brake pads, foldable tyre and tubes) and the bike will go back in a couple of weeks time to have these and a new chain fitted as well.

While at Pashley's I saw one of these (see picture). The new-ish TSR (see www.tsr.uk.com) - 30 gears - made my 9 gears look modest by comparison.

I also contacted Shaun Moulton at Alex Moulton Cycles and ordered a larger luggage bag. Shaun is also going to have two replacement wheels to hand in case of emergency! Thanks Shaun.